Friday, 14 December 2007

In one of Dr. John Gray's audio cassettes he defines love as follows: "Love is a feeling directed at someone which acknowledges their goodness."

On the same cassette, he refers to the definition by M. Scott Peck: "The willful intent to serve the well being of another."

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. - 1 Corinthians 13:5-7

My favorite is by Paramahansa Yogananda: "To describe love is very difficult, for the same reason that words cannot fully describe the flavor of an orange. You have to taste the fruit to know its flavor. So with love."

Love itself is a universal experience. Yet, every individual occurrence - while perhaps bound by a common thread - seems absolutely unique. Love is what love is! To everyone it expresses itself differently.

Sunday, 4 November 2007

It can run for hours at 20 metres per minute without getting tired. It lives longer, has more sex, and eats more without gaining weight. Could the science that created this supermouse be applied to humans?

By Steve Connor, Science Editor

Published: 02 November 2007

Scientists have been astounded by the creation of a genetically modified "supermouse" with extraordinary physical abilities – comparable to the performance of the very best athletes – raising the prospect that the discovery may one day be used to transform people's capacities.

The mouse can run up to six kilometres (3.7 miles) at a speed of 20 metres per minute for five hours or more without stopping. Scientists said that this was equivalent of a man cycling at speed up an Alpine mountain without a break. Although it eats up to 60 per cent more food than an ordinary mouse, the modified mouse does not put on weight. It also lives longer and enjoys an active sex life well into old age – being capable of breeding at three times the normal maximum age.

American scientists who created the mice – they now have a breeding colony of 500 – said that they were stunned by their abilities, especially given that the animals came about as a result of a standard genetic modification to a single metabolism gene shared with humans.

They emphasised that the aim of the research was not to prepare the way to enhance the genes of people. However, they accepted that it may be possible to use the findings to develop new drugs or treatments that could one day be used to "enhance" the natural abilities of athletes.

The professor of biochemistry at Case Western Reserve University at Cleveland in Ohio, Richard Hanson, said that the physical performance of the supermouse can only be compared to supremely fit athletes like the cyclist Lance Armstrong, who won the Tour de France seven consecutive times from 1999 to 2005. The genetic alteration to a gene involved in glucose metabolism appears to stimulate the efficient use of body fat for energy production. At the same time, the mice do not suffer from a build up of lactic acid – which causes muscle cramps – a feature also seen in the best endurance athletes.

Professor Hanson said yesterday: "They are metabolically similar to Lance Armstrong biking up the Pyrenees. They utilise mainly fatty acids for energy and produce very little lactic acid. They are not eating or drinking and yet they can run for four or five hours. They are 10 times more active than ordinary mice in their home cage. They also live longer – up to three years of age – and are reproductively active for almost three years. In short, they are remarkable animals.

"On the downside, they eat twice as much as control mice, but they are half the weight, and are very aggressive. Why this is the case, we are not really sure."

Professor Hanson, who led the 15-strong team of researchers, said that the first supermouse was created about four years ago by injecting a highly active form of a gene for an enzyme called phosphonenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK-C) into a mouse embryo. The results of studies on the mice are published for the first time today in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Professor Hanson said: "We humans have exactly the same gene. But this is not something that you'd do to a human. It's completely wrong. We do not think that this mouse model is an appropriate model for human gene therapy. It is currently not possible to introduce genes into the skeletal muscles of humans and it would not be ethical to even try."

However, it may be possible for pharmaceutical companies to use the findings to develop new drugs that enhance muscle performance, which may benefit certain patients. Professor Hanson accepted that it was possible athletes might misuse any future drug developed in this way.

He said: "It's very possible. It's a different approach to putting a gene into a human. I would only do that to help anyone who suffers from disorders such as cystic fibrosis."

The aim of the research was to gain a greater understanding of the PEPCK-C enzyme, which is present mainly in the liver and kidneys. As a result of the genetic modification, the mighty mice have up to 100 times the concentration of the enzyme in its muscles compared with ordinary mice.

Professor Hanson said: "The purpose of our experiment was to study energy metabolism in the mice and the role that a single, metabolically important enzyme might play in a tissue in which it is not normally expressed at high levels."

He said that the physical and behavioural changes in the modified mice were completely unexpected. Usually, scientists have to carry out blood tests to see if there has been any effect of altering the genes, but these mice were noticeably different at a very early age.

He said: "We could spot them at just a few weeks after birth. They popped around the cage like popcorn. We found that they were about 10 times as active as ordinary mice."

Further research on the mice could shed light on the link between high-calorie diets and cancer, and low-calorie diets and longevity. He said: "Our animals live longer and eat almost twice as much as ordinary mice – this is a model to study."

A risky business: previous attempts at genetic modification

Genetic modification is a 30-year-old technology that has been used extensively on a range of animals for basic research and the production of agricultural or pharmaceutical products. It involves inserting an extra gene or modifying the expression of an existing gene within the DNA of the animal. Famous examples of GM animals include:

The Beltsville pig

An early experiment involving the insertion of a gene for human growth hormone into pigs to make them grow faster. They suffered severe bone and joint problems and could not walk properly without pain.

Oncomouse

Created by scientists at Harvard. Engineered to develop cancer, it enabled researchers to use it as a model of the disease. It was involved in one of the earliest patent applications on an animal.

Knock-out mice

Probably the most common use of genetically modified animals. The mice have a gene modified or destroyed so that scientists can study the outcome. Has created a revolution in the understanding of mammalian genes.

Spider-silk goats

Spider-silk protein gene is inserted into goats to extract the substance from their milk. The silk is stronger than steel, so could be used in industry.

Spinach pigs

Japanese scientists have created pigs with an added gene from spinach. They say it cuts fat – making them healthier to eat.

Humanised cattle

A range of experiments have tried to introduce important human genes into cattle so that pharmaceutical proteins can be extracted from their milk.

The green pig

Scientists are trying to introduce a bacterial gene into pigs that will make their faeces less toxic, cutting farm pollution.

Select a location and switch to satellite view. Zoom in as far as you can, and click ‘link to this page’ at the top right. Now replace the ‘z’ parameter in the URL with a higher value, e.g. 20, 22, or 23, and wait. Some locations will now show more detailed imagery.

It is somewhat hard to find spots with the super mega google zoom … But I bet soon the whole world will have that resolution. Scary and even scarier when you think about Google Live Maps!

Of course The Google Complex at Silicon Valley has that high res option.

150) Don’t frown, you never know when someone might be falling in love with your smile!

151) Love isn’t when you can imagine spending your life with someone; it’s when you can’t imagine your life without that person!

152) Star light; star bright, where the heck is Mr. Right???

153) Never say “I love you” if you don’t really care; never talk about feelings if they aren’t really there; never hold my hand if you’re going to break my heart, never say you’re going to if you don’t plan to start. Never look into my eyes, if all you do is lie, never say “hello” if you really mean goodbye. If you really mean forever then say that you will try; never say forever, ‘cause forever makes me cry!

154) There is something demoralizing about watching two people get more and more crazy about each other, especially when you are the only extra person in the room. –Silvia Plath

155) You were born in the heavens, up in the sky, sent down to earth to put a twinkle in my eyes.

156) Last night I matched up the stars to reasons I love you, I was doing fine, ‘till I ran out of stars.

157) Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave, and impossible to forget!

37) Did you fall down the ugly tree and hit every branch on your way down?

38) 4 out of 5 voices in my head say go back to sleep.

39) FOR ALL OF YOU WHO TALK ABOUT ME THANKS FOR MAKING ME THECENTER OF YOUR WORLD

40) I know I'm not perfect, but I'm So Close it scares me

41) I like the way I feel, nothing hurts when no ones real.

42) I'm lost; please take me home with you.

43) A very wise man once said "I don’t know go ask a woman".

44) I used to think I was indecisive, but now I'm not so sure

45) Maybe this world is another planet's Hell

46) If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?

47) I never forget a face, but I'll make an exception in your case

48) I quote others only in order to better understand myself.

49) If you love something set it free. If it doesn't come back to you, chase it down and kill it

53) Guys are like roses, you gotta watch out for the pricks!

54) Loving you is like breathing, how can I stop?

55) Your boyfriend kisses better than mine.

56) Some people are alive just because it's against the law to kill them!

57) I wish I had the guts to walk away and forget what we have but I know you wont follow.

58) And your point is...?

59) You know you want me

60) If I were to throw a stick, would you leave?

61) I don't come with dice...so please don't try to play me

62) People like you are the reason we have middle fingers

63) I'm not a bad girl...just a good girl that does bad things..

64) Wish I had somebody, walking beside me, looking into my eyes at night. I want a love to call my own. I want someone that I can hold, someone wanting me. Just want to know how it feels to be somebody's somebody

65) If you love something set it free...if it comes back, it was meant to be. If it continues to fly, let it soar, have faith that God has something better in store.

66) There are certain people who are not meant to fit in your life, no matter how much you want them to be

67) I don't miss him.... I just miss who I thought he was

68) It's really amazing when two strangers become the best of friends, but it’s really sad when the best of friends become two strangers

69) Sometimes it hurts more to smile in front of everyone than to cry all alone

70) It's funny the way you can get use to the tears & the pain

71) If you love your man, set him free.. If he doesn't come back, then you know he's with me

72) Sometimes its better to be alone, no one can hurt you that way

73) Sometimes when I'm alone at night I just sit and contemplate all the reasons why you wouldn't want me the way I want you

74) I may not see u as often as I'd like, I may not get to hold u all throughout the night, but deep inside my heart I know this is true! No matter what, I'll never stop loving u!

75) I have never had a dream that has ever came true, until God gave me the gift of having u

76) You hurt me more than I deserve, how can you be so cruel? I love you more than you deserve, why am I such a fool?

77) How can you simply be friends with someone when every time you look at them all you think about is how much more you really want them?

78) How do I tell him that he has my heart? That without him my world would fall apart. I need so much for him to know, but if I tell him will he stay or will he go?

79) Something in your eyes captured my soul, and every night I see you in my dreams. You're all I know. I can't let go.

80) Loneliness up ahead, emptiness behind, where do I go?

81) I know I made a lot of stupid mistakes in my life, but the worst one was thinking the person who hurt me the most wouldn't hurt me again!

82) Waking up is the start of my nightmares.

83) I want to be remembered as the girl who always smiled...The one who could brighten up your day, Even if she couldn't brighten her own.

84) The roots of love grow all around but for me they come tumbling down everyday heartaches grow a little stronger I cant take this pain much longer.

85) Have you ever loved someone and knew they didn’t care? Did you ever feel like crying but knew you’d get nowhere? Do you ever close your eyes and say a little prayer? Have you ever looked into his heart and wished that you were there?

86) There’s a smile on my face but I don’t know why its there...I put it on to try and satisfy all the people that don’t even care.

87) Inside my heart is breaking but my smile stays on.

88) Say goodbye. Turn and walk away. You never really loved me-so why did I expect you to stay.

89) My face is always smiling but my soul wears an everlasting frown.

90) Funny how we feel so much but cannot say a word, we are screaming inside but we can't be heard.

94) Coffee, chocolate, men...some things are just better rich!

95) What a shame...looks like the ugly fairy kissed you on both cheeks!

96) Don't look at me like I'm evil.

97) If I could give you one gift in the world it would be the ability to see yourself as I see you. Maybe then you’ll realize how special you really are!

98) I would tell you to go to hell, but all dogs go to Heaven!

Flowers need sunshine, violets need dew, all angels in heaven know I need u. years may fly, tears may dry, but my friendship with u will never die.

One day u will ask me: What is more important to you, me or your life? I will say: my life… You will walk away from me without knowing that U R MY LIFE!!!

Feel good when somebody Miss u. Feel better when somebody Loves u. But feel best when somebody never forgets u.

A friend is sweet when its new….but it is sweeter when its TRUE! But u know what? Its sweetest when its you.

A friend gives hope when life is low, a friend is a place when you have nowhere to go, a friend is honest, a friend is true. A friend is precious a friend is u.

If kisses were water, I will give u sea. If hugs were leaves, I will give u a tree.If u luv a planet, I will give u a galaxy, if friendship is life I will give u mine.

People live People die People Laugh People Cry Some give up Some will try Some say hi Some say bye Others may forget YOU but never will I.

If I were to be anything in this world…. I’d be ur tears!!!… So, I can be conceived in ur heart, born in ur eyes, live on ur cheeks & die on ur lips!!!!!

If u r a chocolate ur the sweetest, if u r a Teddy Bear u r the most huggable, If u are a Star u r the Brightest, and since u r my “FRIEND” u r the “BEST”!!!!!!!!!

A special friend is rare indeed, it beems to be special breed, yes, perfect friends r very few, so lucky I m for having you.

They say it takes a minute 2 fine a special person, an hour 2 appreciate them, a day 2 love them, but then an entire life 2 forget them.

When God opened the window of the Heaven He asked me: What is your wish for today? “I said : please take special care of the person reading this!!!!!!!”

Time might lead me to nowhere and faith might break into pieces but I will always be THANKFUL that once in my life’s journey we became FRIENDS!

It takes half our life to find true friends & half of it keeping them.I am lucky to have spent less than half my life finding you & wish to spend the rest keeping you.